Safety container for inflammables

ABSTRACT

A completely enclosed container has two openings or vents. One vent has an internal valve and a pouring spout attached thereto. The other vent has a spring biased safety cap which raises for filling or to vent vapors when the internal pressure exceeds some predetermined level, such as 5 p.s.i. A handle linkage is connected between the two vents so that the pouring valve opens first and the venting safety cap opens second, as the can is tipped. Suitable springs urge the valve, cap, and handle to an automatically closed position when the container is sitting at rest.

[451 Apr. 17,1973

[ SAFETY CONTAINER FOR INFLAMMABLES [75] Inventor: Frank S. Flider, Chicago, 11].

[73] Assignee: Justrite Manufacturing Company,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Dec. 14, 1970 [21] App]. No; 97,713

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,574,338 11/1951 Lewis ..222/474 X 3,254,789 6/1966 Richmond ..220/44 R Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Larry Martin Attorney-Alter, Weiss & Whitesel [57] ABSTRACT A completely enclosed container has two openings or vents. One vent has an internal valve and a pouring spout attached thereto. The other vent has a spring biased safety cap which raises for filling or to vent vapors when the internal pressure exceeds some predetermined level, such as 5 p.s.i. A handle linkage is connected between the two vents so that the pouring valve opens first and the venting safety cap opens second, as the can is tipped. Suitable springs urge the valve, cap, and handle to an automatically closed position when the container is sitting at rest.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 1 11m 3; 727. 807

n INVENTOR FIG! FRANK s. FLIDER ATTORNEYS SAFETY CONTAINER FOR INFLAMMABLES This invention relates to new and improved containers, especially although not exclusively to containers for inflammable fluids, and more particularly to low cost containers having self-operating vents.

Closed containers for inflammables are not only known in the art, but also have very carefully prescribed safety regulations enforced by governmental and industrial agencies. Thus, improved containers must meet or exceed the existing safety regulations. Finally, these containers must be attractive and have a sales appeal for the buying public, which goes beyond the sales appeal of previously available safety cans.

Some of the factors which are pertinent to this invention relate to the method of filling, pouring, and venting the safety can. More particularly, the poiring of a liquid from a closed container requires the intake of air to avoid an air-lock inside the container. A number of disadvantages are found in the air intake vents which are currently in use. When the air intake device is in or near the pouring opening, the incoming air reacts on the flowing liquid to create turbulence that makes the flow erratic. When small openings are added for the sole purpose of taking in air during the pouring operation, they may become clogged by dirt from either the outside or the inside of the can. Also, when completely filled, cans are tilted and the air vent must open if it is to be effective. As a result, liquid sometimes spills out the air vent. This can be very hazardous, as when the pouring is being done over a hot engine.

Separate air vents are uneconomical additions as compared to the total cost of a safety can. The invention, on the other hand, uses a large opening air intake which is a component of the can also used for filling. This opening is located well above the liquid level and well removed from the pouring opening.

Thus, the invention provides a number of attractive features for the safety can. The air vent is at the highest point on the container, where vapors collect, and it is loaded to release pressure at less than a dangerous pressure level, such as p.s.i.. The container has automatic venting during draining to prevent an air lock followed by a surging flow of the inflammable fluid. Still other features will occur to those who are skilled in the art.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide new and improved safety cans or containers for inflammable liquids. I-Iere, an object is to provide a spring loaded vent which opens when the can is tipped to a predetermined angle for pouring. Hence, an object is to provide a low cost explosion-proof, automatically venting gas can.

Another object is to provide an explosion-proof gas can which can be manufactured on standard machine tools. Conversely stated, an object is to avoid requiring special purpose tools, jigs, or dies. Quite the contrary, an object is to maximize the use of existing safety can parts.

In keeping with an aspect of the invention, these and other objects are accomplished by providing a completely enclosed safety can having two openings or vents. One vent has an internal valve for controlling the flow of a fluid to a pouring spout attached thereto. The other vent has a spring biased safety cap which raises either for filling or to vent air or vapors. The spring bias is overcome when the internal pressure exceeds some predetermined level, such as 5 p.s.i. A handle linkage is connected between the two vents so that the pouring valve opens first, and the venting safety cap opens second, as the can is tipped. Suitable springs urge the valve, cap, and handle to an automatically closed position when the container is sitting at rest.

The structure of a preferred embodiment of the invention may be understood best from the following description, when taken with the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inventive container;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the linkage on top of the container of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3-6 are schematic stop motion views showing the the linkage operates.

In greater detail, FIG. 1 shows a steel container 10, made of a heavy gauge material, such as 24-gauge Terne plate. Reinforcing ribs appear, as at ll, 12 to add strength. The seams at 14 are folded and crimped to provide four or five thicknesses of metal locked together by double seaming. The container is preferably dipped in a hot lead or tin bath to provide a corrosion protection. Then, a fine quality of enamel is baked on over the tin coating.

Two openings or vents 20, 21 are formed in the top of the containenThe opening or vent 20 has an internal spring biased valve controlled by a valve stem 22. The other opening or vent 21 has a spring biased safety cap 23 which opens either for filling or under dangerous vapor pressures. Filters are provided to strain the fluid entering and leaving the container.

A handle controlled linkage 24 operates the two vents. More particularly, the left-hand end (as viewed in FIG. 1) of the linkage 24 operates the valve stem 22 for raising and lowering the internal valve to enable or prevent the flow of fluids through a flexible hose 25. The right-hand end of the linkage 24 is positioned to bear against a control lever 26 which is an integral part of the safety cap 23. Suitable springs bias the valve, safety cap, and linkage to a closed position when the container is in a resting position.

The details of thelinkage arrangement will become more apparent from a study of FIGS. 2 and 3. In greater detail, the structures forming the openings or vents are upstanding tubes or cylinders 30, 31 having attachment flanges 32, 33, and brackets 34, 35 integrally formed thereon. These parts may be castings, stamped, or drawn forms.

Inside the pouring vent part 30 is a valve 40 having an attached valve stem 22 which is pressed into a normally closed position by a coil spring 41. The upper end of the cylindrical part 30 is closed and sealed by a suitable cap 42 and a gasket. The valve stem 22 projects through a hole in the cap and engages washers 44. After the assembly of the valve 40, spring 41, cap 42, and washers 44, the top of the stem 22 is swaged or otherwise formed to make a complete sub-assembly.

Mounted on bracket 34, by pin 47, is an L-shaped bracket 48 having a forked bar 49, 50 which fits under the washers 44. A pair of upstanding brackets 51 control the pivtoal motion of the L-shaped bracket 48. Normally, the spring 41 presses the valve 40 downwardly with sufficient force to seal the opening.

When the washers 44 are lifted by the fork 49, 50, the spring 41 is compressed, the valve 60 opens, and the fluid may be poured from the container and through the hose 25.

A horizontal linkage comprises a bar 55 having a longitudinal slot 56 therein and at least one wheel 57 rotatably attached to the distant end thereof (as viewed in FIG. 2). The near end of the bar 55 is pivotally attached to the bracket 51 by a pin at 59.

A bracket 65 is attached to the top of the container 10, approximately midway between the two vents 20, 21. Pivotally mounted, at the point 64, on a bracket is a handle 66 having a spring normally urging the handle 66 to swing in the direction A and into a forwardly folded position, which presents a low profile when the container 10 is not in use. A pin 68 fits through the handle 66 and the slot 56 in the bar. Thus, if the handle 66 is raised, there is a lost motion as the pin 68 moves through the length of the slot 56 before any linkage action occurs. This amount of movement allows the user to secure a comfortable grip before lifting the weight of the can. A plurality of spacers provide clearance for a smooth and free sliding motion between the handle 66 and the bar 55.

The filling vent includes the cylinder 31 and safety cap 23 mounted on bracket 35 by pin 70. The spring 71 wraps around pin 70 and bears down on top of cap 23 with a predetermined pressure. Thus, when the vapor pressure inside the can exceeds, say p.s.i., the cap 23 raises to vent it. As soon as the internal pressure falls below 5 p.s.i., the spring 71 overcomes such pressure and the cap 23 recloses.

Attached to the cap 23 and forming part thereof is the bracket 26 which is pivotally connected to the mounting 35 by the pin 70. When the wheel 57 moves in direction B, encounters bracket 26, and pushes with sufficient force, the cap 23 opens.

The operation of the inventive structure should be apparent from a study of FIGS. 3-6. In each of these figures, the linkage ground is the weight of the container suspended from the bracket 65.

In greater detail, when the can is resting on the ground (FIG. 3), the handle 66 is in a lowered position, at the forward end of slot 56, and pulled down under spring tension. In this position, the cap 23 may be raised by hand 72 a and the can is filled. For example, a gasoline hose 75 may be inserted into the filling vent or tube 21. Gasoline or another fluid is pumped through hose 75 and into the can via the filter under vent 21.

The linkage operation during the pouring sequence is shown in FIGS 4-6. More particularly, the can is picked up by the handle, and there is a lost motion while the pin 68 moves through the slot 56. Except for the handle, none of the linkage is moved (FIG. 4) during this lost motion.

Spring 41 holds the valve 40 closed. This way, the can may be lifted and carried about without either of the vents being opened. Then, while the handle is held stationary the bottom of the container is lifted (FIG. 5) to tip the spout 25 downwardly to a pouring position. As this occurs, the pin 68 in handle 66 engages the back end of the slot 56, and the bar 55 moves back in the direction of arrow B. This motion of bar 55 pulls pin 59, and the part 48 pivots about point 47 in the direction C. Valve 40 raises against the bias of the spring 41. The wheel 57 has not yet pushed against the barcket 26 with sufficient force to open the cap 23. Thus, valve 40 opens first. Because cap 23 is located at a high point on the can, there is no danger that the in flammable fluid will pour out of the vent 21 before it pours out of hose 25.

Finally, at the end of the sequence (FIG. 6), the bottom of the container is lifted high enough to provide a steady flow of the fluid from the can. The handle 66 moves backward to its rear most point, with respect to the ground point 64. Here the How valve control part 48 has reached its point of maximum travel in the direction C. The spring 41 is at its maximum compression, and the valve 40 is at its maximum opening. The wheel 57 pushes the barcket 26 to its point of maximum displacement. The cap 23 is open as widely as possible.

The inflammable liquid is poured from the can at a maximum rate, and the air vent 23 is open. When the can is set down, the sequence reverses, cap 23 closes first, then valve 40, and finally handle 66 is spring baised to its normal position.

The advantages of the invention should now be apparent. There is a very low cost since the numbere of parts are reduced to a minimum. There are no excess or supplementary valves or other parts. The two openings 20, 21 may be raised to any convenient height so that the highest part may be vented. The sequence of valve openings may be selected by varying the relative lengths of the linkage parts. Still other advantages will readily occur to those who are skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A safety can comprising a completely closed and airtight container having two vent means formed therein with a sliding handle controlled member extending between said vents, said handle being located between said vents and at approximately the center of a gravity of said can,

first spring controlled means associated with one of said vent means for controlling the flow of fluids through said one vent, second spring controlled means associated with the other of said vent means for controlling the flow of either a fluid or a gas through said other vent, and

means operated responsive to a tipping of said can while said handle is held stationary for automatically operating said two vent means in a predetermined sequence, wherein said first means opens first and closes last as said can is tipped to a pouring position and then returned to a normal position.

2. A safety can comprising a completely closed container having two vent means formed therein with a handle controlled means associated with said two vents,

first spring controlled means associated with one of said vent means for controlling the flow of fluids through said one vent,

second spring controlled means associated with the other of said vent means for controlling the flow of either a fluid or a gas through said other vent, means operated responsive to a tipping of said can while said handle is held stationary for automatically operating said two vent means in a predetermined sequence when said can is tipped between a normal and a pouring position, said vent operating means comprising a lost motion linkage, and said handle normally spring biased to a folded low profile position,

said handle raising with said lost motion to an upstanding load bearing position without operating said vents.

3. The safety can of claim 2 wherein said linkage means operates responsive to tipping said can for causing said one vent means to open for enabling the flow of fluid therethrough.

4. The safety can of claim 3 wherein said linkage means operates responsive to a further tipping of said can for thereafter causing the other of said vent means to open for enabling the flow of a gas therethrough.

5. The can of claim 1 wherein said one of said vents comprises an upstanding housing having a passage way with a spring controlled valve therein and a flexible pouring hose leading from said passage,

said valve having a valve stem projecting out of sid housing.

6. Th can of claim 5 and a forked bracket means for lifting said valve stem to open said valve against the bias of said spring.

7. A safety can comprising a completely closed container having two handle controlled vent means formed therein,

first spring controlled means associated with one of said vent means for controlling the flow of fluids through said one vent, said one of said vents comprising an upstanding housing having a passageway with said spring controlled means operating a valve therein and a flexible pouring hose leading from said passage,

said valve having a valve stem projecting out of said housing,

second spring contro-led means associated with the other of said vent means for controlling the flow of either a fluid or a gas through said other vent, means operated responsive to a tipping of said can while said handle is held stationary for automatically operating said two vent means in a predetermined sequence, said last named means comprising a forked bracket means for lifting said valve stem to open said valve against the bias of said spring, and a sliding bar pivotally attached to said formked bracket,

said handle comprising means for sliding said bar between a normal and an off normal position, and

means engaged by said bar in said off normal position for opening said other vent,

the sequence of control being such that said valve opens before said other vent opens.

8. A method of storing and dispensing a fluid comprising the steps of:

a. pouring a fluid through an air vent and into a closed container,

b. raising a folded handle on sadi container from a resting postion to a load bearing position with a lost mechanical motion,

0. opening only a pouring spout from a spring sealed position responsive to an initial tipping of the can afte the completion of said lost motion, and

d. opening said air vent from a second spring sealed position in addition to said opening of said pouring spout responsive to a further tipplng of said container, said second spring having a predetermined pressure to vent said container when internal vapor pressure within said container exceeds said predetermined pressure.

9. A safety can comprising two openings separated by substantially the width of the can, each of the openings being tubular housings integral with and sealed aginast the top of the container at points elevated above the normal fluid level in the can,

both of said two tubular housings having openings at their tops for providing means for pouring fluid into one of said openings and out of the other of said openings means for automatically opening said one opening under control of excessive pressure inside said can, and

handle controlled means for operating both of said openings responsive to the tipping of said can to a pouring position while said handle is held in a stationary position. i

10. The can of claim 9 wherein said pouring means comprises an upstanding hollow tube having a spring biased cap covering the top of said tube and a handle with a linkage to open the cap when the can is tipped. 

1. A safety can comprising a completely closed and airtight container having two vent means formed therein with a sliding handle controlled member extending between said vents, said handle being located between said vents and at approximately the center of gravity of said can, first spring controlled means associated with one of said vent means for controlling the flow of fluids through said one vent, second spring controlled means associated with the other of said vent means for controlling the flow of either a fluid or a gas through said other vent, and means operated responsive to a tipping of said can while said handle is held stationary for automatically operating said two vent means in a predetermined sequence, wherein said first means opens first and closes last as said can is tipped to a pouring position and then returned to a normal position.
 2. A safety can comprising a completely closed container having two vent means formed therein with a handle controlled means associated with said two vents, first spring controlled means associated with one of said vent means for controlling the flow of fluids through said one vent, second spring controlled means associated with the other of said vent means for controlling the flow of either a fluid or a gas through said other vent, means operated responsive to a tipping of said can while said handle is held stationary for automatically operating said two vent means in a predetermined sequence when said can is tipped between a normal and a pouring position, said vent operating means comprising a lost motion linkage, and said handle normally spring biased to a folded low profile position, said handle raising with said lost motion to an upstanding load bearing position without operating said vents.
 3. The safety can of claim 2 wherein said linkage means operates responsive to tipping said can for causing said one vent means to open for enabling the flow of fluid therethrough.
 4. The safety can of claim 3 wherein said linkage means operates responsive to a further tipping of said can for thereafter causing the other of said vent means to open for enabling the flow of a gas therethrough.
 5. The can of claim 1 wherein said one of said vents comprises an upstanding housing having a passage way with a spring controlled valve therein and a flexible pouring hose leading from said passage, said valve having a valve stem projecting out of sid housing.
 6. Th can of claim 5 and a forked bracket means for lifting said valve stem to open said valve against the bias of said spring.
 7. A safety can comprising a completely closed container having two handle controlled vent means formed therein, first spring controlled means associated with one of said vent means for controlling the flow of fluids through said one vent, said one of said vents comprising an upstanding housing having a passageway with said spring controlled means operating a valve therein and a flexible pouring hose leading from said passage, said valve having a valve stem projecting out of said housing, second spring contro-led means associated with the other of said vent means for controlling the flow of either a Fluid or a gas through said other vent, means operated responsive to a tipping of said can while said handle is held stationary for automatically operating said two vent means in a predetermined sequence, said last named means comprising a forked bracket means for lifting said valve stem to open said valve against the bias of said spring, and a sliding bar pivotally attached to said formked bracket, said handle comprising means for sliding said bar between a normal and an off normal position, and means engaged by said bar in said off normal position for opening said other vent, the sequence of control being such that said valve opens before said other vent opens.
 8. A method of storing and dispensing a fluid comprising the steps of: a. pouring a fluid through an air vent and into a closed container, b. raising a folded handle on sadi container from a resting postion to a load bearing position with a lost mechanical motion, c. opening only a pouring spout from a spring sealed position responsive to an initial tipping of the can afte the completion of said lost motion, and d. opening said air vent from a second spring sealed position in addition to said opening of said pouring spout responsive to a further tipping of said container, said second spring having a predetermined pressure to vent said container when internal vapor pressure within said container exceeds said predetermined pressure.
 9. A safety can comprising two openings separated by substantially the width of the can, each of the openings being tubular housings integral with and sealed aginast the top of the container at points elevated above the normal fluid level in the can, both of said two tubular housings having openings at their tops for providing means for pouring fluid into one of said openings and out of the other of said openings means for automatically opening said one opening under control of excessive pressure inside said can, and handle controlled means for operating both of said openings responsive to the tipping of said can to a pouring position while said handle is held in a stationary position.
 10. The can of claim 9 wherein said pouring means comprises an upstanding hollow tube having a spring biased cap covering the top of said tube and a handle with a linkage to open the cap when the can is tipped. 